As part of measures to combat COVID-19, the Kerala government will from Tuesday start admitting asymptomatic patients in Ernakulam district to a 300-bed facility prepared at a convention centre in Angamaly.
The Adlux International Convention & Exhibition Centre has been converted to a dedicated facility to house asymptomatic cases of COVID-19. The move is expected to reduce the burden on health workers in the district and also the Medical College Hospital in Kalamaserry, which has been the main treatment hub for COVID-19 in Ernakulam.
The New Indian Express reported that as of Monday about 47 patients were being treated at the hospital in Kalamaserry, while 59 were under observation. The New Indian Express added, "Starting with asymptomatic patients who are currently undergoing treatment, the shifting will also include patients with mild symptoms in the later stages once the number of cases at MCH reaches 50."
Snehil Kumar Singh, who is the incident commander for COVID-19 in Ernakulam, explained moving asymptomatic patients to the Adlux facility would help the main hospitals to focus on patients requiring intensive care.
Two doctors and eight nurses will be deployed at the Adlux Convention Centre, The New Indian Express reported. The Adlux facility will be able to accommodate 125 male patients, with the remainder being females. The Adlux compound will be regularly disinfected by the Fire and Rescue Service. The state electricity board has also installed a transformer at the site.
The Ernakulam district administration had announced last week that the Adlux Convention Centre would be converted to a hospital to deal with COVID-19 cases.
Kerala has, to date, recorded 2,005 COVID-19 cases, with Ernakulam reporting 60.
